The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has released its inaugural report as part of the “Future of the Financial Sector” series for 2026. Titled “Global Wealth Outlook: A New Perspective on Growth in a Changing World,” the report examines the key factors reshaping the global wealth landscape, taking into account economic volatility, demographic shifts, and changing capital flow patterns.
According to the findings, there are approximately 23 million high-net-worth individuals worldwide, collectively holding about $87 trillion in wealth. This highlights the significant influence this demographic holds in directing global investment flows.
The report emphasizes the growing prominence of Dubai as a preferred destination for affluent individuals, family offices, and investors seeking markets and investment portfolios that offer the necessary flexibility and diversity to navigate economic fluctuations.
It also notes a significant structural shift in global wealth management strategies. As market volatility continues, geopolitical instability persists, and investment returns vary, wealthy individuals and families are reevaluating their strategies for capital allocation and direction.
No longer confined to mere asset allocation, investment decisions now incorporate geographical considerations as essential elements in crafting investment portfolios. This shift is crucial due to the importance of regulatory and legal frameworks in safeguarding wealth for the long term.
Wealth transfers across generations, expected to reach about $124 trillion by 2048, are among the primary drivers of this transformation.
With younger heirs increasingly influencing investment strategies, there is a greater focus on private markets, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and impact considerations, all while maintaining traditional return-related goals.
The next generation of wealthy individuals is adopting a multi-faceted investment approach that balances financial gains with flexibility to withstand economic shifts and inflation, and the ability of investment portfolios to handle unexpected disturbances.
Additionally, they aim to ensure family cohesion across generations, create a positive social and environmental impact, and solidify the family’s reputation and standing over time.
The report also highlights the expanding role of women in wealth management, as they currently represent over 10% of high-net-worth individuals and are projected to inherit around 95% of the wealth transferred between couples, valued at $54 trillion.
Often, female heirs are inclined to direct their investments toward areas that align with their values and social priorities, such as sustainable, charitable, and innovative ventures.
High-net-worth individuals are increasingly focusing on leveraging artificial intelligence investments, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and resource efficiency.
Renewable Energy
The renewable energy sector is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, attracting significant interest from affluent investors seeking to diversify their portfolios into sustainability-related avenues.
As this sector evolves, wealthy individuals are not only symbolically supporting sustainability but are also committing significant financial resources that reflect their practical commitment to environmental and social issues.
Consequently, wealth advisors must go beyond traditional roles of assessing assets and managing portfolios. They are now required to handle specialized deal structures, identify trustworthy partners in venture and growth capital phases, and integrate data-driven analyses into their strategic recommendations.
The report indicates that wealth management remains primarily a relationship-driven endeavor. Building trust, understanding complex family dynamics, and grasping the unique goals and values of each family are essential to ensuring successful multi-generational wealth management.
Volatility
Arab Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, stated that global wealth management strategies are undergoing profound structural changes, as families navigate investment environments characterized by volatility, diverse regulatory frameworks, and shifting priorities of younger generations. This situation necessitates a reconsideration of risk, resilience, and long-term growth concepts, where geographical considerations are now as critical as investment strategies themselves for wealth preservation.
DIFC has proactively anticipated this transformation by offering a stable environment that is open to global markets, coupled with a high degree of regulatory clarity, enabling families and investors to make long-term investment decisions with complete confidence.
The report reaffirms Dubai’s position as a leading hub for private and family wealth, combining the institutional depth of historic financial centers with a flexible and stable investment environment, as well as attractive tax incentives for global investors.
According to estimates from Henley & Partners, the UAE attracted around 9,800 new millionaires in 2025, predominantly in Dubai, marking the highest net inflow of investments globally amid ongoing shifts in the tax policies of traditional financial centers.
The DIFC hosts 1,289 entities affiliated with family businesses, making it the largest family wealth ecosystem in the UAE, solidifying Dubai’s status as a premier destination for private wealth.
This growth is supported by a comprehensive system encompassing private banking, wealth and asset management, and legal and advisory services, aligning with the announcement of 2026 as the “Year of the Family” in the UAE, thereby highlighting the increasing role of families in global wealth management.
The report also underscores the rapid evolution of competencies within family offices and wealth managers, propelled by the rising demand for private market investments, AI-driven analytics, governance services, and advanced consulting.
In this context, the DIFC continues to enhance its wealth management infrastructure through the “Family Wealth Centre at DIFC,” the world’s first initiative dedicated to supporting multi-generational families.
The report, “Global Wealth Outlook: A New Perspective on Growth in a Changing World,” emphasizes that Dubai is not only keeping pace with global wealth transformations but also plays a pivotal role in shaping a comprehensive investment environment that fosters the growth and prosperity of private and family capital.
87
Trillion dollars in wealth among high-net-worth individuals worldwide.
%10
Women’s share among high-net-worth individuals.
The wealth transfer across generations is projected to reach $124 trillion by 2048.